Is the Archbishop of Canterbury head of the Church and the Communion? | Psephizo

Role of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Martin Davie writes about the announcement of the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury, and the frequent references to the Archbishop as the 'head of the Church of England' or the 'head of the Anglican Communion.'

He explains that these statements are misleading and will discuss the actual roles of the Archbishop in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.

Definition of 'Head'

When discussing these topics, it's essential to understand what is meant by 'head.' The word is used analogically, drawing a comparison between the role of the head in the human body and the role of an individual in an organization.

What do we mean by ‘head?’

The implications of the limited roles of the Archbishop will be explored.

Author's summary: Exploring the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

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Psephizo Psephizo — 2025-10-15

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